Barack Obama just announced that he will be launching a new podcast all about exploring influential books that shaped his worldview – and while fans were excited about the news, many also used it as an opportunity to compare the former president to President Donald Trump.
The former president revealed that the new six-part Audible series called A Great Book with Barack Obama will explore books that “profoundly shaped” his worldview “and our society,” with Obama discussing their impact alongside six special guests. The first episode is expected to debut on September 24th, so we don’t have long to wait!
At a time when fewer people are able to sit down with a book, it’s important to remember the joy and power that can come from reading. And some books don’t just tell a story – they change the way we see the world. That’s why I’m excited to share my latest podcast from… pic.twitter.com/217Df4SwBF
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 10, 2026
Barack Obama Tells Fans About His New Audible Series
“At a time when fewer people are able to sit down with a book, it’s important to remember the joy and power that can come from reading. And some books don’t just tell a story – they change the way we see the world,” Obama posted on X, along with a throwback photo of himself standing in front of a bookcase.
The father-of-two went on in the comments: “A while back, I revisited a few of the books that made an impact on me as a young man, influencing how I think about family, faith, race, politics and America: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren, and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré.”
“I invited some friends to explore why these books resonate, how they can shape our understanding of ourselves and each other, and why literature matters now more than ever,” he added. The six guests haven’t been revealed yet, so could his wife Michelle Obama, who wrote the bestselling book Becoming, be among them, we wonder?
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Internet Reacts To Barack Obama's New Podcast
Obama supporters flooded the comments with praise and excitement. "Congratulations President Barack Obama for this fantastic new project," praised one X user. "I will definitely be listening," claimed a second.
"A podcast centered around great literature is exactly what the digital age needs. Great initiative!" exclaimed a third, as a fourth said: "This. Books really do change how we see the world. Can't wait to listen." "Inspiring words, Mr. President!" declared a fifth.
And the comments continued over on Reddit, where users not only praised the former president but also compared him to the current president…
Many Reddit Users Compare Barack Obama To Donald Trump
"These are all great, intentional choices; I look forward to listening in on him and his guests," wrote one Reddit user. "I really respect his taste in books. You can tell he really is a reader, or, at the very least, went to the trouble of hiring someone who really is a reader," wrote a second, as a third gushed: "I appreciate any world leader present or former that uses their influence to encourage reading at a time when adult readership is declining, particularly in the US, at a depressingly swift rate."
"Obama is a fantastic speaker. I couldn't be more excited about this," wrote a fourth. "People really do forget Obama is one of if not the most intelligent and erudite presidents the US has ever had," a fifth chimed in, as a sixth asked: "Remember when we had a president that could read?"
"Remember when we had a president with a brain? Like another lifetime," echoed a seventh, as an eighth quipped: "Meanwhile, the current president can't [expletive] read!" "Trump could never," concurred a ninth. "Not sure the orange could even name a book off the top of his head," added a tenth.
An eleventh remembered: "When asked during campaigns, he always says The Art of the Deal and The Bible." "There are photos of his bookshelf in the Oval Office and of course it's only Art of the Deal," recalled a twelfth, in reference to Trump's own book, as a thirteenth joked: "Waiting for a certain someone to declare books 'woke.'"
